Johnson, Hendrick, Lowes, Smith donate over 1M to California wildfire victims
Quote selected text Published October 31st, 2007 in NASCAR News
Jimmie Johnson took the checkered flag at Sunday’s NASCAR NEXTEL CUP race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, but the American Red Cross’ California Wildfire relief efforts might have been the biggest winner.
Johnson and his Hendrick Motorsports team joined with their sponsor Lowe’s (NYSE: LOW) and Sonic Automotive (NYSE: SAH) Chairman Bruton Smith to contribute more than $1 million to the Red Cross California wildfire relief efforts. Johnson, 32, a native of El Cajon, Calif., plans to present a check to the American Red Cross at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday before the race.
“I am very proud of everyone who has jumped on board with us to donate winnings to the victims of California fires,” said Johnson whose Hendrick Motorsports team earned $343,861 in race winnings on Sunday. “I appreciate Lowe’s, Hendrick Motorsports and Bruton Smith, Sonic Automotive and the NASCAR community for their effort to help out the people in Southern California during this devastating time.”
In addition to matching the race winnings, Lowe’s designated each of its 85 stores in California as cash donation sites for customers and employees. Those donations plus another match by Lowe’s raised an additional $10,000.
“The donations to the Red Cross California wildfire relief efforts were instrumental in our ability to provide assistance to residents, firefighters and first responders in Southern California,” said Kathleen Loehr, interim senior vice president of Development at the American Red Cross. “This kind of help and generosity is critical during times of disaster.”
Smith, who also is the founder and chairman of Speedway Motorsports (NYSE: TRK), said, “On behalf of all of our associates at Sonic Automotive, some of which have been affected by these fires, I’m delighted that we could be involved. I commend Jimmie on his victory on and off the track Sunday in Atlanta. He is a wonderful champion in so many ways. There’s a lot of work to do in California and this effort will help.”
The Red Cross is providing people affected by the fires, including residents, firefighters and first responders, with shelter, food, water, clean up and comfort kits, counseling, basic healthcare and family connecting services. The California wildfires have burned almost half a million acres and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
The Red Cross has determined that current financial donations and pledges will cover the Red Cross’ cost for its response to the wildfires, estimated not to exceed $12-15 million.
- Johnson to donate race winnings to Red Cross
- Martin Truex Jr. announces foundation for less fortunate
- Johnson and Lowes Extend to 2010 with Hendrick
- Bruton Smith tabs son to replace Wheeler at Lowe’s
- California Speedway announces wildfire relief
Kudos! Not only to JJ, but to all who matched his winnings!
Thats why im a jj fan. GO 48 I’ll see ya at Texas Motor Speedway!!!
in the words of Napoleon Dynamite…
“HECK YES!”
Perfectly said…”A Champion on and off the track”
Jimmie Johnsons example of a role model far exceeds that of anyone in recent sports history IMHO. I’ sure I don’t need to cite examples.
Good job Jimmie.
Man, this just goes to show you how much respect everyone should have for Jimmie. For those fans who boo him because he is Jeff Gordon’s team mate–Just read this article. Jimmie is an awesome racecar driver, and awesome champion, an awesome future hall-of-fame inductee, and an overall awesome person. This just proves why I have liked Jimmie since he was a rookie. 48 for champion in 07…and 08.
You guys know that other drivers do just as much as JJ and don’t trip over themselves to publicize it, right?
When is the last time you heard of a nascar driver donate there winnings……Y you hatin man!!!!!!!
THAT’S IT???… You’d think with all that Johnson makes, Lowe’s Profits and Sonic Automotive is worth they could EACH donate at LEAST that much.
Kudos to all involved in this display of generosity, But Jeff is right many other drivers, team owners and Sponsors do give this much and more in times of need.
Hopefully the money goes to good use,not to help the rich get richer …
Yep. I smell Hendrick haters. They’re everywhere. They make every positive thing with the names Gordon, Johnson, Hendrick, and/or Mears in it negative. They’ll make sure they do. It’s sad really.
Trey and others, I was thinking the exact opposite… The Hendrick Huggers feel the need to prop their drivers up for every little thing they do, including donating their winnings/earnings, which others often do.
Many of them don’t wait for a disaster in their home state to strike to do it, IE: Tony Stewart who cut a million dollar check (of his own money, not his sponsor’s) to Victory Junction gang, and the beloved Kurt Busch, who donated enough to build an indoor sports facility.
All I’m saying is that just because your driver went out of his way to make it known that he was donating his race winnings doesn’t mean he’s Mother Theresa or something. Most all NASCAR drivers donate more than their fair share back to their communities and charities, but I don’t hear them out bragging about it in post-race interviews!
I have no problem with Rick Hendrick, Gordon, Busch or Mears… I’ve never liked Johnson from day one. I think he’s a smug little _____. That being said, he’s a very talented driver who no doubt does his share to help people, but I just don’t see the point in bragging about it. When I make a monetary donation to a non-profit or volunteer, I don’t go around blowing my own horn about it!
Hey getrdone,
You better get your history books out,
Dale Jarrett has been giving to cancer
reserch almost till he started driving.
Who knew??? Plus most of the old timers
(all of the good ones) gave so much to
charities.
It’s not Johnson advertising it, it’s the media. Just like it’s the media advertising it for the others. I never said the other drivers didn’t do the same type of things. I’m saying this because a lot of people think Johnson is a _____. Obviously he isn’t.
All tax deductible.
Jeff…
Do you really think JJ was looking for his own noteriety or just that he was publicly thanking those who pitched in? Reed Sorenson is in the public eye right now for raising money for breast cancer, Tony Stewart gets press when he donates to the Victory Junction Camp, Greg Biffle’s dog calendar gets attention too. They all do when they give money! There’s no reason a person can’t give a kudos to their generosity. I gave one to Reed just as I did to JJ and just as I would to Tony, Biff, or anyone else who “uses” their celebrity status to help others. The more they use it, the more others might pitch in!
Well said, Erica.